State Police bust sex trafficking ring

State police arrested nine people from Oneida County for their alleged role in sex trafficking that involved an underage victim.

Arrested were both alleged pimps and johns

The Wednesday arrests were the culmination of a nine-month investigation into the sex trafficking of a girl under the age of 17 from Oneida County, said Jack Keller, state police public information officer .

oJakeem E. Penn Sr., 35, of Utica, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child

oCurtis L. O'dell, 61, of Utica, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child

Police say a sex trafficking charge is a class "B" felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Keller said the investigation and subsequent arrests focused on all aspects of the sex trafficking trade to include the traffickers, facilitators and the individuals purchasing sex acts with the victim.

Police say the crimes were led by brother and sister Edward and Lynnette Tilden who used the website Backpage.com to advertise and sell the child online to various individuals for the purpose of sexual acts.

According to reports, Lynette Tilden also used the website to advertise herself and others in New York City, Utica, Rome, Albany, Fishkill, Herkimer, Oneida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Virginia, and Connecticut.

Keller said that an investigation is ongoing by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations in Marcy, Utica City Police Department Metro Unit; New York State Police in Fulton, Hastings, Pulaski and the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, and added that federal authorities are also looking into whether the victim was transported across state lines. If so, that would incur federal charges for those involved.

The victim has been offered services through the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, Keller confirmed.

Information has been developed that more individuals may have been trafficked by these individuals and anyone with information pertinent to this investigation or the people involved are asked to call the New York State Police at 315-366-6000.

Keller said that police are hoping that any other victims will come forward.

The state police will hold a press conference on Friday regarding the case.